1975. 7 July: Inauguration of the new shrine of Our Lady of Torreciudad in Huesca, Spain.
15 September: Alvaro del Portillo was elected to succeed the founder at a congress of Opus Dei members called for that purpose, as required by canon law.1982. 28 November: John Paul II established Opus Dei as a personal prelature, a juridical structure more accurately reflecting Opus Dei’s theological and pastoral nature, and appointed Mgr. Álvaro del Portillo as prelate.1983. 19 March: Formal execution of the apostolic constitution establishing Opus Dei as a personal prelature.1985. Inauguration of the Roman Academic Centre of the Holy Cross, which in 1998 would become the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.1991. 6 January: John Paul II ordained Mgr. Álvaro del Portillo as bishop.1992. 17 May: Beatification of Josemaría Escrivá in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.1994. 23 March: Death of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo in Rome just hours after his return from a trip to the Holy Land.1994. 20 April: Mgr. Javier Echevarría was appointed as prelate of Opus Dei by John Paul II, confirming the election carried out by the general elective congress held in Rome.1995. 6 January: Mgr. Javier Echevarría was ordained bishop by John Paul II.2002. 6 October: St. Josemaría’s Canonization. St. Peter’s Square. Rome.